Power transmission device



April 23, 1946.

POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE I Filed Nov. 25, 1942 4 ATTOIZNEYW PatentedApr. 23, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT "FFICE Y 2,898,849 i PovvcnfrRnNsMIssroN Davies Franlr Novy, Cleveland, Ohio application November25, 1,942., serial Np. 465,885

6 Claims. (Cl

This invention relates to improvements in, or relating to, rotaryclutches of the type wherein two members mounted for relative rotationare provided with means, optionally operative, adapted to lock them andprevent such relative rotation. The object of the invention is toprovide such means for clutching and declutching, using novel structurewhich is simpler and more sturdy than that heretofore used and whichwith greater eliiciency may be cheaply made and assembled.

According to this invention a ring-like member encompasses a tube-likemember in concentric rotative relation. The inner member has a pluralityof dogging pins slidably` mounted in a plurality of apertures spacedcircumferentially in the wall thereof. In un-clutched relation, theouter ends of the clogging pins are` held flush with the outer wall ofthe innerl member` and the inner ends project into the bore of the innertube-like member. A circumferentially disposed recess is provided in theinner surface of the outer ring-like member into which onev of thedogging pins vmay be 'projected to achieve a clutched relation 'betweenthe members. The projectionl of such dogging pin is secured by`introducing, between the inner ends of. the, clogging pins when inun-clutched relation, a cam` element having aA bearing surface defining,a circle which is larger than the circle, dened by; inner ends of thedogging pins and coaxial` with the members. Such cam element issomonnted that the bearing surface may be shifted radially. The bearingsurface of the cam element cannotk be inserted between the inner endsofthe clogging pins without displacing one of them, which` isaccomplished by its projection into the recess in the inner surface ofthe outer ring-like member.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.` The annexed drawing and the followingdescription setforth in detail certain mechanism embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but a preferredembodiment of the various rnechanical forms in which the principleofthe` invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view of said embodiments substantially insection; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 1` on the line2-2 showing theembodiment when in clutched` relation; Fig. 3 is the sameas Fig. 2l when.injun-` clutched relation; Fig. 4 is a section of adetail corresponding with the section of Fig. l by showing amodification in construction; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic viewcorresponding with the sectionalr view of Fig. 2 showing more lclearlythe relation of certain parts when in clutched relation. D Y

Referring to the drawing, a preferred embodi-Y ment comprises atube-like member I, upon which a ring-like member 2 is mounted inrotatable relation. Ring-like member 2 is held in place longitudinallyof tube-like member I by iixedly secured, collars 3. In diametricallyopposite points of the inner surface ofthe ring-like member 2 are twocircumferentially extended recesses 4. In the opening of each recess 4is an arcuate shaped plate 5 vcurved to t the circumference of thetube-like member I. Within each recess A isa flat spring 6, bearing uponthe plate 5` and urging it into contact `with the surface oftubelikemember. I.

Through the wall of tube-like member I are threeY apertures I3, equallyspaced in circumferential relation and in registry with the recesses 4H.In` each of the apertures I3 is a locking piece in the form` of aclogging pin Iii, which is of a lengthsuch that when its outer end isush with the outer surface: ofthe tube-like member I, the inner end willproject into the bore I2 of tubelike member I, as is best seen in Fig.3, the several pins. being of equal length.

Longitudinally and reciprocably mounted through` the bore I2 of` thetube-like member I is a shaft, or rod, 'I which is coaxial with membersI and 2. The circumference of rod 1 is substantially the same as thecoaxial circle defined by the., inner ends of clogging pins Ill.Intermediate the rod 'I and dened between planes normal tothe axis ofrod 'I is a section 9, of substantially reduced diameter. Mounted onthis reduced section 9 is a cam element 3, having the shape of aflattened sphere, with a bore I I- betweenv the.. flattened faces. Thebore II has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the rod L but;substantially larger than the diameter of the reducedsection 9.

When the described device is in uri-clutched relation theseveral partswill be in a position as shown in Fig. 3with the rod 'I contacting andsupporting the dcgging pins III. Vifhen the rod 'I is shifted the. camelement 8 will contact the pinsv III and being larger than the circledefined therebywill force one of the pins outwardly into a recess 4 asshownin. Figs. l and 2. The device will-now be` in. clutched positionand cam element 8 has shifted radially and maintains an olfcenterposition in relation to rod 1 and members I and 2. On again shifting therod 'l to unclutch the device, the cam element y8 will be withdrawn fromcontact with the clogging pins l a at (or rather a cylindrical) section8a as shown in Fig. 4. This section which corresponds with the largestdiameter of the element when brought in contact with the pins I willtend to remain in engagement' therewith, i. e. the rod 1 will remainwhere set without necessarily being locked in place.

The angular disposition of the end walls of the recesses 4 wherewith thepins I6 engage as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is such that the walls inelinefrom a radial line, i. e. converge slightly towards each other; Thisarrangement facilitates locking engagement of the pins with the recessesbut the former obviously will not have as complete contact as where theend walls are substantially radial so that the pins will engagetherewith throughout the extent to which they project into th'e recess.This disposition of walls is illustrated in the diagrammatic Figure 5.The end walls of the recesses instead of converging may flare outwardlywith respect to each other in which case disengagement of the pins fromthe recesses would be facilitated.

'From the foregoing description it will be seen that not only is myimproved transmission or power device and clutch simple in constructionand operation, but that the parts are correspondingly easy tomanufacture and assemble. Of particular importance is the fact that dueto the arrangement of the recesses 4 and dogging pins I0circumferentially of the respective members of the device, whichever ofsuch members serves as the driving member, immediate engagementtherebetween is effected when the cam part 8 is shifted longitudinally.In other words, `the relation of such recesses and pins is such that oneof the clogging pins will always be in position'to be forced outwardlyinto a recess by the lateral displacement of the cam element due to thefact that one`or both ofthe remaining pins is not at the time adjacentaV recess. Provided this relationship of recesses and pins is preservedthe number of each thereof may be increased if desired as in the case ofa device of large size, designed for the transmissionof more power thanin the case of the device chosen for purpose of illustration. Y

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

`1.7In a rotary clutch as described having a tube-like member,airing-like member mounted rotatably thereabout, said members having acommon axis, and means operative optionally to lock such members andprevent relative rotation therebetween, the improved locking meanscomprising two limited recesses circumferentially disposed in the innersurface of the ring-like member in diametricai relation; curved plates,one of which is positioned in the opening of each said recess, whichplates t the outer surface of the tube-like member; springs in saidrecesses urging said plates into contact ywith th'e tube-like member;three apertures equally spaced in circumferential relation through theWall ofthe tubelike member and in register with the said two recesses;dogging pins fitted in said apertures, said pins having equal lengthssuch that each will project into the bore of the tube-like member whenits outer end contacts the inner surface of the 'ring-like member; ashifting rod mounted through said tube-like member for reciprocalmovement longitudinally and having a common axis therewith, said rodhaving a diameter such that its surface will engage the inner ends ofsaid pins when their outer ends are in Contact with the inner surface ofthe ring-like member; a limited section in said rod, having a diametersubstantially less than the diameter of said rod; and a bored cammingelement mounted on said limited section spanning same, said elementhaving a bore of a diameter substantially greater than the diameter ofsaid limited section but less than the diameter of said rod, and havinga bearing surface defining a sphere the diameter of which is larger thanth'e diameter of said rod by substantially the length of the distanceWhich 'one of said pins projects into the bore of the tubelike memberwhen in retracted position.

2. In a rotary clutch as described having a tube-like member, aring-like member mounted rotatably thereabout, said members having acommon axis, and means operative optionally to lock such members andprevent rrelative rotation therebetween, the improved locking meanscomprising a limited recess circumferentially disposed in the innersurface of the ring-like member; a curved plate positioned in theopening of said recess, which plate ts the outer surface of thetube-like member; a spring in said recess urging said plate into contactwith the tube-like member; a plurality of apertures equally spaced incircumferential relation through the wall of the tube-like member and inregister with the said circumferential recess; dogging pins fitted insaid apertures, said pins having equal length' such that each willproject into the bore of the tubelike member when its outer end contactsthe inner surface of the ring-like member; a shifting rod mountedthrough said tube-like member for reciprocal movement longitudinally andhaving a common aXis therewith, said rod having a diameter equal to theconcentric circle defined by th'e inner ends of said pins when theirouter ends are in contact with the inner surface of the ringlike member;a limited section in said rod, having a diameter substantially less thanthe diameter of said rod; and a bored camming element mounted on saidlimited section spanning same, said element havingV a bore of a diametersubstantially greater than the diameter of said limited section but lessVthan the diameter of said V rod, and having a bearing surface dening asphere the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of said' rod bysubstantially the length of the distance which one of said pins projectsinto the Vbore of the tube-like member when in retracted position.

' 3. A rotary clutch comprisingra ring-like member provided on its innersurface with a limited recess circumferentially extended; a curved platepositioned in said recess; means resiliently urging said plate to aposition closing the opening of said recess; a tube-like memberrotatably and coaxially mounted through said ring-like member in xedbearing relation therewith; a plurality of apertures, equally spaced incircumferential relation through the wall of said tube-like member andin register with said extended recess; dogging pins in said apertures,said pins being of an equal length such that the inner ends will extendinto the bore of said tube-like member when the outer ends are incontact with the inner surface of said ring-like member; means operativeto slidably support said pins in said relation; and a camming elementwithin said tube-like member, operative, when moved into contact withthe inner ends of said pins, to urge one of said pins to a positionprojecting into said recess, said element being provided with azone-like bearing surface which defines a sphere having a diametergreater than the diameter of the circle, defined by the inner ends ofsaid pins, co-axial with the said members.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of drivingand driven members, one normally rotatable upon the other, the outermember having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in itsinner face, spring-pressed plates normally closing such recesses, aplurality of radially movable pins carried by the inner member andindividually adapted when forced outwardly to engage one of saidrecesses,va longitudinally shiftable rod Within said inner member, and abored camming element carried by said rod, the bore of said elementbeing substantially `larger than the section of said rod whereon it ismounted, so as to permit displacement of said element transversely ofsaid rod, and the outer face of said element being contoured to engageand actuate one of said pins when said element is longitudinally shiftedalong with said rod.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of drivingand driven members, one normally rotatable upon the other, the outermember having two oppositely disposed recesses in its inner face,spring-pressed arcuate plates normally closing such recesses, threeequidistantly spaced, radially movable pins carried by the inner memberand individually adapted when forced outwardly to engage one of vsaidrecesses, a longitudinally shiftable rod within said inner member, and abored camming element carried by said rod, the bore of said elementbeing substantially larger than the section of said rod whereon` it ismounted, so as to permit displacement of said element transversely ofsaid rod, and the outer face of said element being contoured to engageand actuate one of said pins when said element is longitudinally shiftedalong with said rod.

i 6. In a device of the character described, the combination of drivingand driven members, one normally rotatable upon the other, the outermember having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in itsinner face, a plurality of radially movable locking pieces carried bysaid inner member and individually adapted when forced outwardly toengage one of said recesses, means normally retaining said piecesagainst such engagement, a longitudinally shiftable rod Within saidinner member, and a bored camming element carried by said rod, the boreof said element being substantially larger than the section of said rodwhereon it is mounted, so as to permit displacement of said elementtransversely of said rod, and the outer face of said element beingcontoured to engage and actuate one of said pieces when said element islongitudinally shifted along with said rod.

FRANK E. NOVY,

